NBC News executive Alex Wallace, who oversees the troubled morning show, made the comment Wednesday in response to reports that the network had approached CNN’s Anderson Cooper about the Today job.
Anderson Cooper For Matt Lauer?
Embattled Today anchor Matt Lauer, already the focus of blistering criticism for the ouster of co-anchor Ann Curry and the ratings slide at NBC’s morning show, has long been rumored to be on the chopping block — despite his $25 million contract and recent efforts aimed at rehabilitating his image. Here’s the latest wrinkle: NBC toppers recently reached out to CNN’s Anderson Cooper to replace Lauer on the show before the end of the year.
‘Jeopardy’ Looking At Lauer As Next Host
Matt Lauer, the beleaguered host of the Today show is at the top of the list to take over the brainy game show when Alex Trebek steps down, as expected, in 2016, knowledgeable sources say.
The beleaguered morning show host made his pitch at an unfortunately-timed NBC News sales event. Today is at low ebb in the ratings and a flurry of media reports has been speculating that Lauer is more of a sinker than a sail.
The last year for Matt Lauer, the once-popular host of the network’s Today show, is a lesson on how a combination of missteps can precipitate a star’s fall. Lauer’s Q Score — a measure of likability, treated as gospel by the TV industry — has fallen by more than half since he was paired with Ann Curry in June 2011. It was a 19 that September; by this January it was a 9. For the first time his counterpart on ABC’s Good Morning America, George Stephanopoulos, has a higher score.
Lauer’s Role At ‘Today’ Up For Discussion
A former NBC executive says that as the former No. 1 morning show slips into third place in New York, replacing Matt Lauer is now seriously on the table.
Exclusives
Comments about his on-air flubs at the Thanksgiving Day parade follow criticism about the removal of Ann Curry from Today. “They have an opinion and two thumbs, and that gives them the right to do whatever they want,” he said.
In response to the widespread devastation caused by Hurricane Sandy NBCUniversal’s Matt Lauer has brought together some of the biggest names in music for a one-hour live benefit telethon. Christina Aguilera, Jon Bon Jovi, Billy Joel, Bruce Springsteen, Sting and Aerosmith will join Lauer tonight to raise money for the American Red Cross and victims of Sandy. Hear what Lauer had to say about what drove him to put the telethon together and his message to people across the country about donating.
As Today sinks in the ratings, Matt Lauer has become an “anchor animal” behind the scenes, NBC sources say, adding that he’s taken control of the show and berates staff who are no longer allowed to even mention rival Good Morning America around him.
As ratings slip below ABC rival GMA, Today staffers are bracing for possible cutbacks and layoffs, and wondering whether Matt Lauer will give up any of his $25 million annual salary to save jobs there, sources tell Page Six
The Today host’s new agreement keeps him in the co-anchor chair of the morning show for four years and includes a program development deal, which could give him an ownership stake in a syndicated show outside of Today.
He has signed a long-term contract to remain as co-host of the top-rated morning show.
With the death of Tim Russert and the retirement of Tom Brokaw, Today‘s Matt Lauer has emerged as the last NBC News star from the era when broadcast still ruled.
With reports circling that Ryan Seacrest may join Today, 60 Minutes Executive Producer Jeff Fager says he would “love” to have Lauer on his CBS broadcast.
NBCUniversal is pursuing American Idol host Ryan Seacrest as a possible successor to Matt Lauer on the Today show, if Lauer vacates his co-anchor seat next year, say people close to the company.
Ann Curry will be co-host with Matt Lauer while Natalie Morales is elevated to newsreader on NBC’s top-rated morning show.
‘Today’ Boss On Lauer Rumors: ‘Ludicrous’
Jim Bell, the executive producer of NBC cash cow Today, says the rumor that Matt Lauer has given notice that he will leave when his contract is up at the end of 2012 is “silly speculation.”
The CBS Evening News anchor is currently on a tour touting her new book, and she didn’t give her former colleague any info on her plans once her contract with CBS expires in June.
Katie Couric and her former Today co-host Matt Lauer have discussed teaming up in a new daytime talk show, although it is unclear whether those discussions will progress, according to a person familiar with the matter.
After a record 798-week winning streak, NBC’s biggest cash cow, the Today show, suddenly looks vulnerable. The morning TV staple, a half-a-billion-dollar advertising and ratings juggernaut, will face its biggest challenge yet if co-hosts Matt Lauer and Meredith Vieira leave when their contracts expire. Speculation that America’s most popular morning team is nearing an end already has change-averse advertisers feeling skittish, especially as they strategize about where to commit their ad budgets ahead of the TV networks’ annual upfronts in May.
As headlines have Meredith Vieira leaving the Today show, a source tells Entertainment Tonight that Matt Lauer has notified his NBC bosses that he will be resigning from Today when his contract expires on Dec. 31, 2012. Could he be thinking about re-teaming with his former Today co-host Katie Couric and his former Today executive producer Jeff Zucker?
